Safety tips for your eyes this ‘Holi’

by Marshaneil Soumi D’ Rozario | 01 MAR 2018

Image used for representational purpose only

The festival of colour is a celebration of life. The spectrum of colours used in this event symbolizes an auspicious triumph of the good over evil. There are huge throngs of people embarking on the roads, streets, buildings smearing colours at each other to infuse life into this joyous festival. The spirit of holi can only be enjoyed to the fullest by using coloured powders, pichkaris and water balloons. On the flip side, these synthetic colours contains oxidized metals and industrial dyes that can damage the skin, hair and the eyes. Eyes are a vital organ that needs to be protected from these foreign elements from causing severe injuries. Dr.LVK Raju .Sr Consultant (Cataract & Refractive) Maxivision Super Specialty Eye Hospitals,Hyderabad shares easy tips on how to safeguard your eyes.

How does the festival of colour affect our eyes?

The festival of ‘Holi’ is a vibrant and a joyous occasion. The problem arises when the holi colours, enters into your eyes. Now days the synthetic colour available easily, contains toxic substances, artificial dyes which can harm your eyes. For instance the use of silver colours contains aluminum bromide or the red colour contains mercury sulphide, for green colour they use copper sulphate. These chemicals present in the colour causes chemical injuries to the eyes. As they enter into the eye they harm the cornea and the surrounding skin. It can also lead to skin eczema, allergy, irritation and chemical burns. These chemical powders can also accentuate the asthmatic attacks.

How to protect your eyes from harmful colours? ( Prevention)

First and foremost, avoid using synthetic colour, any chemical and industrial dyes. Try to use natural or herbal colours, which are easily obtained from sources like marigold, tumerics etc.

The person playing holi, should always wear goggles to prevent the colours from entering into their eyes.

One should not wear contact lens, while playing holi. As the colour entering your lens, will be retained for a longer period of time. If the contact lens is soaked in the colour it incurs more damage on your eyes.

Playing colours for long durations can lead to dryness so keep yourself hydrated from time to time.

People with prior eye problem should avoid holi , especially if the person is under treatment. Everything should be done in moderation.

Can you suggest few home remedies to deal with eye irritation, after playing holi? (Treatment)

Wash your eyes with plenty of plain cold water.

Avoid rubbing of your eyes. Rubbing of the eyes can lead to swelling of the tissues it can further cause more harm by enhancing the rapid absorption of the chemicals in your eyes.

Don’t use harmful substances like milk, drop of oil. Sometimes to remove the synthetic colours like silver colour for example there is a practice that kerosene and petrol is used. It should be strictly avoided.

Irritation of eyes can occur due to entry of colour or liquid in your eyes. In such situation rinse your eyes with plain cold water.

Avoid using harsh shampoos or washing soaps containing thinkers can lead to dryness of eye. Using normal mild soaps at regular intervals can help to get over the colour.

Give certain tips to take care of your children’s eyes during holi?

Children should play holi under strict adult supervision. They should be warned about not letting powdered colours entering their eyes.

They should wash their stained hands thoroughly before consuming food.

Parents should check that children do not touch their eyes or mouth with a coloured hand.

Children should be abstained from throwing coloured water balloons at each other, it can cause some kind of injury.

Only organic or herbal colour should be administered to them. They should be careful on wet grounds.

In which of the cases one should consult a doctor immediately?

Patient should approach nearby eye hospital for treatment once there is a suspicion of colour in their eyes. In certain cases, patients do not open their eyes after colour entering their eyes. Eye hospitals possess specialized instruments to keep the eyes open. Sterile water is used to wash the colour from their eyes. If a person rubs his eyes continuously it indicates, sufficient amount of colour has entered into their eyes.